Georgia’s National Agency for Cultural Heritage Preservation is set to launch a comprehensive rehabilitation program for Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, one of the country’s most important cultural and religious monuments.
The agency has announced a two-stage simplified procurement process and plans to allocate up to GEL 5 million for the project. Based on the tender documentation, the rehabilitation program will be implemented over 2026–2027.
The agency said the multi-year budget reflects the phased, research-driven nature of the project rather than an immediate commitment to spend the full amount. The initiative will include the protection, research, diagnosis, holistic conservation, project planning, monitoring, management, and preventive conservation of the cathedral, which is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Planned work includes a comprehensive assessment of the cathedral’s physical condition, identification of existing and potential risks, and a wide range of historical, architectural, engineering, geological, geotechnical, seismic, climate, and materials studies. Specialists will also prepare conservation strategies, design and cost documentation, technical specifications, monitoring systems, and data management tools.
The agency stressed that Svetitskhoveli Cathedral holds exceptional historical, architectural, artistic, spiritual, and national significance. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Georgia has a special responsibility to preserve its authenticity, integrity, and outstanding universal value for future generations.
Based on the documentation, the work must begin within a limited timeframe due to the cathedral’s special status and the urgent need for a comprehensive assessment of its condition. The agency noted that any future restoration or conservation work must be based on detailed research, scientific analysis, and technical evaluations.
It also explained that the procurement process could not be fully planned in advance because each stage depends on the findings of the previous one, making it impossible to accurately determine the scope, timeline, and financial requirements of subsequent rehabilitation works before the research phase is completed.
